Got an Angel on my Shoulder [Amara]

Neil wiped the recently-vacated table down with a wet rag and realigned the salt and pepper shakers, then took a deep breath and grabbed stacks of plates, running them back to the kitchen before emerging again near the bar. He gave a sigh and seated himself on a nearby stool, resting his chin in his hand and playing with an empty shot glass that was nearby. He would normally be back in the kitchen cooking, and it would be the waiters and waitresses taking orders and cleaning up after people, but tonight was pretty slow. Even the most popular restaurants had their nights where business wasn't the best, especially those in towns as small as Wonderland was. Not everyone could afford to go out and eat every night, and establishments like Neil's Eats Hut were considered to be more of a special occasion type place than just going and getting grub kind of place.
That was something that he intended to change in the future. Neil, as a business owner, was always thinking of ways to improve business and score more points with clientele. Word of mouth about his cooking was already making the rounds around town, and getting good results, so perhaps it would be just as easy to spread the word as to the addition of new menu options like sandwiches and smaller, grab-and-go items. Perhaps he could even package things like his famous homemade kettle-cooked potato chips and coleslaw, and send that with the sandwiches as a lunch.

Though he enjoyed the thought of more business, money, and food in peoples' belly, he really wished he had some company right about now. It would be very nice. And it seemed that he might be granted his wish as the door swung open.